1
|
Jansen van Vuuren A, Bolcaen J, Engelbrecht M, Burger W, De Kock M, Durante M, Fisher R, Martínez-López W, Miles X, Rahiman F, Tinganelli W, Vandevoorde C. Establishment of Primary Adult Skin Fibroblast Cell Lines from African Savanna Elephants ( Loxodonta africana). Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2353. [PMID: 37508130 PMCID: PMC10376752 DOI: 10.3390/ani13142353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Following population declines of the African savanna elephant (Loxodonta africana) across the African continent, the establishment of primary cell lines of endangered wildlife species is paramount for the preservation of their genetic resources. In addition, it allows molecular and functional studies on the cancer suppression mechanisms of elephants, which have previously been linked to a redundancy of tumor suppressor gene TP53. This methodology describes the establishment of primary elephant dermal fibroblast (EDF) cell lines from skin punch biopsy samples (diameter: ±4 mm) of African savanna elephants (n = 4, 14-35 years). The applied tissue collection technique is minimally invasive and paves the way for future remote biopsy darting. On average, the first explant outgrowth was observed after 15.75 ± 6.30 days. The average doubling time (Td) was 93.02 ± 16.94 h and 52.39 ± 0.46 h at passage 1 and 4, respectively. Metaphase spreads confirmed the diploid number of 56 chromosomes. The successful establishment of EDF cell lines allows for future elephant cell characterization studies and for research on the cancer resistance mechanisms of elephants, which can be harnessed for human cancer prevention and treatment and contributes to the conservation of their genetic material.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amèlia Jansen van Vuuren
- Separated Sector Cyclotron (SSC) Laboratory, Radiation Biophysics Division, National Research Foundation (NRF)-iThemba Laboratories for Accelerator Based Sciences (LABS), Cape Town 7100, South Africa
- Department of Medical Biosciences (MBS), Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape (UWC), Cape Town 7530, South Africa
- Biophysics Department, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, 64291 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Julie Bolcaen
- Separated Sector Cyclotron (SSC) Laboratory, Radiation Biophysics Division, National Research Foundation (NRF)-iThemba Laboratories for Accelerator Based Sciences (LABS), Cape Town 7100, South Africa
| | - Monique Engelbrecht
- Separated Sector Cyclotron (SSC) Laboratory, Radiation Biophysics Division, National Research Foundation (NRF)-iThemba Laboratories for Accelerator Based Sciences (LABS), Cape Town 7100, South Africa
| | - Willem Burger
- Dr Willem Burger Consulting, Mossel Bay 6503, South Africa
| | - Maryna De Kock
- Department of Medical Biosciences (MBS), Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape (UWC), Cape Town 7530, South Africa
| | - Marco Durante
- Biophysics Department, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, 64291 Darmstadt, Germany
- Institut für Physik Kondensierter Materie, Technische Universität (TU) Darmstadt, 64289 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Randall Fisher
- Separated Sector Cyclotron (SSC) Laboratory, Radiation Biophysics Division, National Research Foundation (NRF)-iThemba Laboratories for Accelerator Based Sciences (LABS), Cape Town 7100, South Africa
| | - Wilner Martínez-López
- Genetics Department and Biodosimetry Service, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay
| | - Xanthene Miles
- Separated Sector Cyclotron (SSC) Laboratory, Radiation Biophysics Division, National Research Foundation (NRF)-iThemba Laboratories for Accelerator Based Sciences (LABS), Cape Town 7100, South Africa
| | - Farzana Rahiman
- Department of Medical Biosciences (MBS), Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape (UWC), Cape Town 7530, South Africa
| | - Walter Tinganelli
- Biophysics Department, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, 64291 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Charlot Vandevoorde
- Biophysics Department, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, 64291 Darmstadt, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Abegglen LM, Harrison TM, Moresco A, Fowles JS, Troan BV, Kiso WK, Schmitt D, Boddy AM, Schiffman JD. Of Elephants and Other Mammals: A Comparative Review of Reproductive Tumors and Potential Impact on Conservation. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:2005. [PMID: 35953994 PMCID: PMC9367617 DOI: 10.3390/ani12152005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Reproductive tumors can impact conception, pregnancy, and birth in mammals. These impacts are well documented in humans, while data in other mammals are limited. An urgent need exists to understand the reproductive impact of these lesions in endangered species, because some endangered species have a documented high prevalence of reproductive tumors. This article documents that the prevalence of both benign and malignant neoplasia differs between African and Asian elephants, with Asian elephants more frequently diagnosed and negatively affected by both. The prevalence of these tumors across mammalian species is compared, and impact plus treatment options in human medicine are reviewed to inform decision making in elephants. Evidence suggests that reproductive tumors can negatively impact elephant conservation. Future studies that document reproductive outcomes, including the success of various treatment approaches in elephants with tumors will benefit conservation efforts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M. Abegglen
- Department of Pediatrics & Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
- Arizona Cancer Evolution Center, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
- Exotic Species Cancer Research Alliance, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
| | - Tara M. Harrison
- Arizona Cancer Evolution Center, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
- Exotic Species Cancer Research Alliance, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
| | - Anneke Moresco
- Exotic Species Cancer Research Alliance, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
- Reproductive Health Surveillance Program, Morrison, CO 80465, USA
| | - Jared S. Fowles
- Department of Pediatrics & Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Brigid V. Troan
- Exotic Species Cancer Research Alliance, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
| | - Wendy K. Kiso
- White Oak Conservation Foundation, Yulee, FL 32097, USA
| | - Dennis Schmitt
- Department of Animal Science, William H. Darr College of Agriculture, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO 65809, USA
| | - Amy M. Boddy
- Arizona Cancer Evolution Center, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
- Exotic Species Cancer Research Alliance, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
- Department of Anthropology, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Joshua D. Schiffman
- Department of Pediatrics & Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
- Arizona Cancer Evolution Center, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
- Exotic Species Cancer Research Alliance, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
- Peel Therapeutics, Inc., Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA
| |
Collapse
|